Title: A Vision for Collective Repentance in Today's Christianity (07/06/'24) -Viewpoint

Title: A Vision for Collective Repentance in Today's Christianity The Call for Collective Repentance 2 Chronicles 7:14 (RSV): "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." Nehemiah 1:6-7 (RSV): "let thy ear be attentive, and thy eyes open, to hear the prayer of thy servant which I now pray before thee day and night for the people of Israel thy servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against thee. Yea, I and my father's house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances which thou didst command thy servant Moses." Daniel 9:5-6 (RSV): "we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from thy commandments and ordinances; we have not listened to thy servants the prophets, who spoke in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land." Jeremiah 18:7-8 (RSV): "If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will repent of the evil that I intended to do to it." Jonah 3:5-10 (RSV): "And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. Then tidings reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, and covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he made proclamation and published through Nineveh, 'By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them cry mightily to God; yea, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may yet repent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we perish not?' When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not do it." Joel 2:12-13 (RSV): "'Yet even now,' says the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.' Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil." Reflections on the Future Vision Collectivist repentance is a crucial issue in today's Christianity. We are at a point where repentance is necessary in almost all areas of life. Humanity is experiencing rapid and radical suffering due to politics, culture, religion, race, family relations, economy, population movement, ideology, and historical conflict. Why Collective Repentance? Unity in Seeking Forgiveness: When a community collectively repents, it demonstrates a unified acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a shared commitment to change. This unity is powerful and can bring about significant transformation. Healing of the Land: As 2 Chronicles 7:14 suggests, collective repentance can lead to divine intervention and healing of the land. This is particularly important in today's context, where many aspects of society are broken and in need of restoration. Corporate Responsibility: Passages like Nehemiah 1:6-7 and Daniel 9:5-6 highlight the importance of recognizing and confessing the sins of a community. This corporate responsibility fosters a sense of accountability and encourages collective action towards righteousness. Vision for the Future A Culture of Repentance: Creating a culture where collective repentance is valued and practiced can lead to a more compassionate and just society. This involves recognizing the ways in which communities and nations have strayed from God's commands and making concerted efforts to return to His ways. Transformative Impact: Just as the people of Nineveh experienced God's mercy and avoided destruction through collective repentance, communities today can experience transformation and healing by turning from their evil ways and seeking God's face. Holistic Restoration: Collective repentance addresses the root causes of societal issues, leading to holistic restoration. This includes healing broken relationships, restoring justice, and fostering peace in various spheres of life. Practical Steps Fostering Awareness: Churches and religious leaders can play a pivotal role in fostering awareness about the need for collective repentance. This can be done through sermons, Bible studies, and community events. Encouraging Action: Encourage communities to take tangible actions towards repentance, such as community-wide days of fasting and prayer, public confessions, and collaborative efforts to address social injustices. Modeling Repentance: Leaders and influential figures should model repentance in their own lives, setting an example for others to follow. By embracing collective repentance, we can create a wind of change that advances the gospel and addresses the pressing issues of our time. This collective turning towards God can lead to profound and lasting transformation in our societies, reflecting the kingdom of heaven amidst the disorder of the world. -Pastor Steven G. Lee (July 6, 2024)